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Howard County, MD Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Howard County Code § 20.605
Rate basis
Recovers O&M costs of reclaimed system
Billing cycle
Quarterly, with water and sewer
Connections
§18.104(e), licensed contractor required
Hydrant color code
Reclaimed water hydrants painted purple

Summary

Howard County operates a separate reclaimed water system alongside its drinking water and sewer utilities, billing users a metered reclaimed water service charge under County Code § 20.605. The Department of Public Works sets connection standards for reclaimed water hookups under § 18.104(e), and the County Council adopts the rate annually by resolution.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Howard County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(1)(b)Reclaimed water service charge established. There is a reclaimed water service charge for the volume of metered reclaimed water taken from the reclaimed water system by a reclaimed water system user.(2)(b)Reclaimed Water Service Charge Rate. The reclaimed water service charge shall be calculated to result in revenue equal to the total projected operation and maintenance costs of the reclaimed water system for the upcoming fiscal year, plus or minus any reclaimed water service charge revenue surplus or deficit which the Director of Public Works projects for the current fiscal year. The rate may account for credits that the County receives from the State for nitrogen discharge.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 91 | Zoning: Supplement 25).

Full Breakdown

605 establishes a separate charge structure for its reclaimed water system, distinct from potable water and sewer billing. " The County Council adopts the reclaimed water rate schedule annually by resolution at budget time, uniform throughout the metropolitan district. Billing runs quarterly through the Department of Finance alongside water and sewer charges unless the Director of Finance sets another cycle. 104(e) requires that "Connections to the reclaimed water system shall be made in accordance with this section," meaning the same licensed on-site utility contractor, inspection, and surety rules that apply to water and sewer taps installed after August 13, 2007.

Reclaimed water infrastructure is flagged for first responders in the County's hydrant color code, which marks "reclaimed water hydrants" purple so crews do not draw non-potable water expecting drinking-quality supply. Reclaimed water is used mainly for irrigation and industrial process water tied to the County's wastewater treatment plants, reducing withdrawals from the Patapsco and Patuxent watersheds serving the metropolitan district.

Violations & Fines

Howard County treats reclaimed water charges as a utility bill, not a criminal ordinance: nonpayment follows the same late-payment penalty schedule as water and sewer bills, and the Department of Public Works may deny or restrict water and reclaimed water service for account delinquency or improper connection work performed without a licensed on-site utility contractor. Unauthorized connections to the reclaimed water main can trigger civil penalties under Title 24 of the County Code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Howard County have a reclaimed (recycled) water ordinance?
Yes. Howard County Code § 20.605 creates a metered reclaimed water service charge separate from drinking water and sewer rates, and § 18.104(e) governs how properties connect to the reclaimed water system. The Department of Public Works sets connection standards, and the County Council adopts the rate annually by resolution.
How is the reclaimed water rate calculated?
Under § 20.605(2)(b), the rate is set to recover the reclaimed water system's total projected operation and maintenance costs for the coming fiscal year, adjusted for any surplus or deficit from the current year. The rate may also reflect credits Howard County receives from the State for nitrogen discharge reductions tied to reclaimed water reuse.
Why are some fire hydrants in Howard County purple?
Purple paint marks reclaimed water hydrants under the County's utility color code, warning firefighters and utility crews that the line carries treated wastewater effluent, not drinking water. Private fire hydrants are yellow, high-pressure hydrants are silver, and gray water hydrants are green under the same infrastructure standard.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Howard County

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All Howard County rules

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